Cyclone Gabrielle has been upgraded to a category three storm; with near-constant gale force, or stronger, winds stretching up to 370-kilometres from its centre and clouds laden with moisture.
MetService says even the best-case scenario is still bad.
The edge of the cyclone is expected to reach Northland tomorrow evening - and the bad weather is also likely to affect Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, and even parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Angus Hines spoke to Max Towle.
